PREVALENCE OF SKIN PROBLEMS AND IMPACT ON QUALITY OF LIFE IN YOUNG SWIMMERS

Background: A cross-sectional research design was used to measure the prevalence of skin problems among competing swimmers and to measure the effect of skin problems on swimming and overall quality of life. Methods: A total number of 42 swimmers participated in this study. A semi-structured questionnaire was developed to identify self-reported skin problems and their relationship to the perceived pool environment. Effect of skin problems on the quality of life was also measured. Data analysis was done using Chi-Square, Pearson Correlation and ANOVA. A total number of 42 male and female swimmers with a mean age of 20.0 participated in this study. Results: There were 45.2% male and 54.8% female swimmers. The majority of the participants (52.4%) were 3rd year students. Overall prevalence of skin problems in the last one year was 78.6% with 16.7% cases of athlete’s foot, 9.5% cases of ear infections, 9.5% cases of eczema, 85% cases of itching, 50% cases of rashes and only 2.4% cases of warts. There were 42.9% participants, who perceived swimming pool as the cause of their skin problems. Only 33.3% participants received treatment for their skin problems. Only 28.6% reported having complications because of skin problems like getting hospitalized in 9.5% cases. Only a few participants reported having an effect on their quality of life i.e. missing out training (19%) and missing out participation in an upcoming competition (11.9%). Chi-Square revealed significant differences (p=0.000) between the prevalence of skin problems of male and female swimmers. A significant positive relationship (r=0.048) was found between perceived swimming pool environment and skin problems. There was no significant effect of skin problems on the quality of life (p=0.208) of male and female swimmers. Conclusion: Significant differences between the prevalence of skin problems of male and female swimmers was observed. Female swimmers experienced skin problems more frequently as compared to the male swimmers.